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Monday, February 18, 2013

Story of a Wrestler Junaid Baghdadi

Junaid Baghdadi earned his livelihood as a professional wrestler. As was
the norm, the Leader of Baghdad announced one day, "Today, Junaid
Baghdadi will demonstrate his skills as a wrestler, is there anyone to
challenge him." An elderly man shakily stood up with his neck quivering
and said, "I will enter the contest with him."

Whoever was
witness to this scene could not contain themselves, they burst out
howling with laughter, clapping their hands. The King was bound by the
law. He could not stop someone who of his own free will entered the
bout. The elderly man was given the permission to enter the ring. He was
about sixty-five years old. When Junaid Baghdadi entered the ring, he
was dumbfounded as was the King and all the spectators of the Kingdom
who were present. The single thought that occupied their minds was, "How
will this old man be able to fight?"

The old man addressed
Junaid with these words, "Lend me your ears." He then whispered, "I know
it is not possible for me to win this bout against you, but I am a
Sayyid, a descendant of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). My
children are starving at home. Are you prepared to sacrifice your name,
your honour and position for the love of Allah's Prophet and lose this
bout to me? If you do this I will be able to collect the prize money and
thereby have the means to feed my children and myself for an entire
year. I will be able to settle all my debts and above all, the master of
both the worlds will be pleased with you. Are you, Oh Junaid, not
willing to sacrifice your honour for the sake of the children of
Rasulullah (peace be upon him)?"

Junaid Baghdadi thought to himself, "Today, I have an excellent opportunity."

In
a display of fervour Junaid Baghdadi executed a couple of maneuvers,
demonstrating his finesse so that the King does not suspect any
conspiracy. Junaid with a great display of antics did not use his
strength and allowed himself to be dropped. The elderly man mounted his
chest thus entitling him to the prize.

That night, Junaid
Baghdadi had a dream of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) who said,
"Oh Junaid, you have sacrificed your honour, your nationally acclaimed
fame, your name and position which was heralded throughout Baghdad in
the expression of your love for my children who were starving. As of
today, your name is recorded in the register of the Auliya (friends of
Allah)."

Thereafter, this great wrestler learnt to defeat his nafs (desires) and became one of the most eminent Auliya of his time!

Source: From the book "Tajalliat-e-Jazb" by Shaikh Hakim Muhammad Akhtar.